Aviva Community Fund - Kayak for Life contest

I just submitted an idea to the Aviva Community Fund, an annual competition which contributes $1,000,000 to create positive change in communities across Canada. If my idea – “Paddle for Life” receives enough votes, we could win $150,000 for kayaking in Alberta. I need your votes to make this dream a reality at   http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf17935#.UkyRbMnTzgg.email 

There is an opportunity to introduce kayaking in local community pools to young children, teens and adults. Getting kids started in kayaking creates physical literacy skills (balance, steering and propulsion control) for all boating sports. 

The Paddle for Life project will provide 15 Alberta communities with a fleet of 15 kayaks, equipment and training for their pool's recreation and school programs. This project will impact 17,250 children and adults annually. With a lifespan of 10 years, the impact will be to promote this activity to 172,500 Albertans creating healthy, active communities that practice safe boating. We will support the communities with NCCP training so their lifeguards and teachers can be qualified to teach kayaking in the pool.  

The AWA working with CanoeKayak Canada has developed all the building blocks to make kayaking more accessible to more people. We now have these resources in place:

1.      NCCP certifications for Pool and Lake Kayak Instructors

2.      Curriculum materials on kayaking for Elementary, Junior and Senior High School teachers

3.      Pool Operators’ business plan that demonstrates a positive cash flow for community kayak programs in their pools

4.      Skill Development checklist - “Passport to Paddlesport” – that illustrates the steps from the pool to the lake to the river for participants

5.      Promotional video that highlites the fun and benefits of kayaking for all ages

What is missing is access to the equipment to introduce our sport.

The Proposal – Making Kayaking Accessible  The goal of the Paddle for Life program is to have every child develop basic aquatic boating skills in a kayak at their local swimming pool. Eleven cities/towns already have active kayaking programs in their swimming pools. This project will provide a fleet of 15 kayaks, paddles and sprayskirts to 15 more cities/towns around Alberta. The Paddle for Life program will broaden the opportunity and engage more Albertans in this healthy and safe sport.

Please check out my idea and vote for it at http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf17935#.UkyRbMnTzgg.email  . I need 3,000 votes to get past the preliminary round into the semi-finals. You can vote 1 time per day for the next 12 days. Each vote counts so please spread the word and lets get this out there to get more people paddling safely in Alberta.             

Feel free to share this email with anyone else who might want to help turn my idea into a reality!

Thanks Everyone, Chuck Lee